Following a turbulent offseason, the Baltimore Ravens were able to turn their full attention to the 2023 NFL Draft after locking in Lamar Jackson to a new five-year contract just hours before they were on the clock. Still needing to add starting-caliber pieces at some of the key positions, did they succeed? The Ravens’ NFL Draft grades tell the story of how Baltimore’s 2023 haul unfolded.
Baltimore Ravens NFL Draft Grades
Round 1, Pick 22: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
What an offseason for the Baltimore Ravens. In the lead-up to the 2023 NFL Draft, they added Odell Beckham Jr. in a move that appeared to have appeased Lamar Jackson, who became the highest-paid player in the NFL hours prior to the draft kicking off.
Then, with the 22nd overall pick, they added possibly the most electric pass catcher in the class in the form of Boston College WR Zay Flowers.
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Dinged early in the process due to his diminutive frame, Flowers bulked up ahead of the Shrine Bowl and NFL Combine and showcased zero drop-off in his eye-catching athleticism in Indianapolis.
Flowers steals souls and breaks ankles with his unbelievable change-of-direction ability and speed. The Boston College product demonstrated an improved pass-catching prowess during the 2022 college season as he left Chestnut Hill with his name etched in program record books. The Ravens’ offense is going to look very different this fall.
Grade: A
Round 3, Pick 86: Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
The ultimate Swiss Army Knife, Trenton Simpson has lined up in every conceivable alignment during his Clemson career, making him a highly versatile 2023 NFL Draft prospect. His versatility is powered by unreal athletic ability, with a 4.43-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine while measuring in at 6’2”, 235 pounds.
Simpson impacts the backfield with his combination of speed and excellent flexibility, giving the Ravens another disruptive presence for Mike Macdonald’s defense. The 42nd overall prospect on the PFN Big Board, he represents excellent value with the 86th overall pick.
Grade: A
Round 4, Pick 124: Tavius Robinson, EDGE, Ole Miss
Although Tavius Robinson is the 254th overall prospect on the PFN Big Board, I actually think this is a sneaky good pick for the Ravens. Robinson was a disruptive force for Ole Miss in the 2022 college season, tallying seven tackles for loss, six sacks, and a ludicrous four forced fumbles.
A multi-sport high school standout, he has the lateral quickness and bend combined with some already well-developed pass rush tools to be a situational rusher early in his career.
Grade: B+
Round 5, Pick 157: Kyu Blu Kelly, CB, Stanford
Stanford cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly was the 120th overall prospect on the PFN Big Board, proving good value for a Ravens team that took a surprisingly long time to snag a player at a significant position of need.
MORE: Overall Team Grades for the 2023 NFL Draft
With decent size and length, Kelly also showcases some technical refinement while playing physical in all phases of the game. Furthermore, his RAS of 8.75 details some of the explosion ability he brings to the field.
Grade: B+
Round 6, Pick 199: Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, OT, Oregon
After starting for three years for Oregon, Aumavae-Laulu lands in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens. Boasting good size and length, the former Duck plays with impressive technique while having some explosion to his game. Interestingly for his projection with the Ravens, he isn’t always the most impactful blocker on the move.
Grade: C+
Round 7, Pick 229: Andrew Vorhees, G, USC
Just when we thought they were done for the night, the Ravens traded back into the seventh round with AFC North rival Browns. Selecting Andrew Vorhees out of USC gives them great value, as he was viewed by some scouts as a potential top-100 pick prior to suffering a significant ACL injury during the draft process. He’s a versatile and experienced piece for the Ravens’ o-line. He wins with physicality and football IQ — not a bad combination at all.
Grade: B
What Were the Ravens’ Biggest Needs Entering the Draft?
- CB, EDGE, DT, WR, OT
Adding Odell Beckham Jr. and Nelson Agholor doesn’t make the long-term need of a No. 1 WR any less for the Ravens, but that player doesn’t necessarily exist in this draft class anyways. Aside from Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who will likely be well gone by the time Baltimore picks, their options are limited.
The Ravens desperately need help at cornerback. Luckily for them, the 2023 NFL Draft is littered with fantastic options there. A need not many discuss is at offensive tackle. On paper, it looks fine, until you look a bit deeper to find Ronnie Stanley has only managed to play 18 games over the last three seasons combined.
Defensive tackle/EDGE is also a need. Baltimore needs a defender who can play in a hybrid role from the 3-technique out to the 5-technique while David Ojabo and Odafe Oweh play wider.